Malaria, Dengue Cases Increase In Mangalore Due To Intermittent Rains

The intermittent rains this year, has increased the number of communicable vector borne diseases like dengue and malaria. H1NI and leptospirosis, though not many are still a worry for the health department. The NS1 (non-structural //protein 1) positive Dengue cases have shot up to 1,065; of these 281 are ELISA positive and four cases have ended in death. Fifty-four positive H1N1 cases have been reported, with 13 deaths till the month of June.

District Health Officer Dr Ramakrishna Rao said, “The peculiar monsoon has given rise to this situation and sought public cooperation in eradicating mosquito breeding sites to control vector borne diseases.”

Compared to last year, there has been abnormal spurt in cases of Malaria, especially in rural areas. While the total malarial cases were 112 in rural areas, this year the figures are six fold at 717. Of these 665 are vivax and 52 are falciparum cases.

Rao said that dengue cases were more prevalent in rural areas especially the taluks of Puttur, Sullia and Belthangady. People with typical symptoms of malaria and dengue should approach nearest health facility and get tested.

He also said instructions have been given to taluk health officers to take up fogging operations in 500 meter radius of the house where dengue cases are detected, apart from collecting blood samples in the neighborhood of persons having fever to start symptomatic treatment.

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Source-Medindia